News from Africa

Realising the human rights to water and sanitation: A handbook

The UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque, is very proud to present her new publication: Realising the human rights to water and sanitation: A handbook

This Handbook is the product of six years of work by the first UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to water and sanitation. It explains the meaning and legal obligations that arise from these rights, translating the often complex technical and legal language into accessible information.

Poverty eradication is the greatest global challenge facing the world today and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. We are therefore committed to freeing humanity from poverty and hunger as a matter of urgency.

Civil society have responded to the Africa Union's restriction of public engagement in its next meeting which they believe is contrary to the underpinning principles of the organisation. Read the full statement here.

Hear from FAN membersCatherine Ngaba (Vice-Chair of ANEW), Ngabaghila Chatata (Network Coordinator, Water and Environmental Sanitation Network, Malawi) and Hanan El-Amin (Founder & Chairperson for Environmental Union, Sudan) about their thoughts on Africa Water Week in a video from the event.

ANEW member Katosi Women Development Trust (KWDT) received the 3rd Kyoto World Water Grand Prize at the closing ceremony of the 6th world water forum in Marseille France on 17th March 2012. This is the second time a FAN member has won the Kyoto Water prize in just the three years since the prize was launched.